In Memory of Morito Tsumura Sensei

In October of 2025, Morito Tsumura sensei passed away. Tsumura sensei was not only a key player in our club’s inception but also a pillar of Canadian Kendo. From coast to coast there are many dojos that have been touched by his guidance, and the UofT Kendo Club is proud to be one of them. We mourn his passing, and hope to carry his torch into the future.

A few words of tribute from his students:

Tsumura Sensei was one of the strongest and most formidable teachers I have ever met. There were many days when he made me both smile and cry, and through those moments, I came to understand how deeply he cared for all of us. I still remember when he once asked me, “Where do you hit when you do kendo?” I hesitated, and he said, “You strike your opponent’s heart.” I will continue to practice what I learned from him, carrying his lessons and spirit with me always.

— Bill Kim

I was 16 years old when I met Tsumura-sensei for the first time and already absolutely in love with Kendo. From the first jikeiko, he always made me feel seen and welcome, which was a rare experience for me. His teaching style matched my learning style very well, and I knew I could always trust him to push me and help me grow, but also, and more importantly, to cheer me on in my Kendo life. He was always a staunch encouragement to me, from high school through adulthood, and always took the time to catch up with me whenever we met, smiling in conversation or grinning during keiko. He even dragged me with him to Japan, a big grin on his face as usual, for the Otsu-hai tournament in 2017. There I got to experience more than 500 women in bogu under the same roof. He knew it would be a precious and transformative experience for me and ensured that I went. I'll never forget it. I will deeply miss seeing his big smile welcoming me at kendo events or practices. I will be forever grateful to have had Tsumura-sensei in my life.

— Marija Landekic